York County’s budget includes real estate tax cut
YORK — York County’s proposed $266.3 million budget for the next fiscal year includes a 3-cent real estate tax decrease for residents after home values increased over the past two years.
County Administrator Mark Bellamy also is proposing a 4% pay increase for county staff and the elimination of the vehicle license fee.
“I believe we can achieve a responsible, balanced budget while recommending a further reduction of the real estate tax rate from 77 cents per $100 value to 74 cents per $100 of value,” Bellamy stated in his March 19 budget message.
Bellamy said home values in York County rose by an average of 21.75% over two years in the fiscal year 2024 reassessment.
The county administrator’s budget includes a proposed hike in fees for curbside garbage and recycling pickup that reflects rising costs.
Bellamy said he received requests for 28 new county positions from departments. He is recommending 16 new positions, including six new firefighters and eight sheriff ’s deputies. He is also recommending a 4% pay increase for staff and bonuses of $500 in fiscal year 2025.
The budget includes a 12% increase in the county’s contribution to employees’ health care costs with the workers expected to shoulder an additional 2%.
The draft budget would give an extra $2.35 million to county schools and grow the Capital Improvement Program by $750,000. An additional $18.1 million would be pumped into the general fund, pushing it to $190 million.
“I believe the fiscal year 2025 proposed budget is consistent with the board’s strategic priorities and the community’s values, takes a long-term perspective, and maintains York County’s position as the lowest taxed, major full-service locality in Hampton Roads,” Bellamy said.
York County’s proposed tax rate would be lower than all its neighbors, apart from Williamsburg and Isle of Wight County.
A budget listening session has been set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Yorktown Library with an official public hearing set for April 16.